Fermentation by Rhizopus spp. has been used as a traditional medicine for treating various inflammatory diseases. Allergic asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that is caused by an exaggerated immune response. This study was conducted to ascertain the anti-inflammatory effects of Rhizopus spp. fermentation extract (RU) on a mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma. The animals were intraperitoneally injected OVA on day 1 and 7, followed by OVA intranasal inhalation on days 14 to 18. The animals were treated daily with RU (100 and 200 mg/kg) by oral gavage from day 18 to day 23. RU significantly decreased eosinophilia and the production of inflammatory cytokines and OVA specific immunoglobulin E in animals with asthma, along with reducing airway inflammation and mucus secretion in lung tissue. Histological changes in the lungs and levels of inflammatory mediators of allergic airway inflammation were evaluated. The regulatory effects of RU on type 2 helper T (Th2) cell activation were investigated. RU administration attenuated asthmatic changes such as inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus production, decreased the levels of Th2-related cytokines, and reduced Th2 cell activation. Administration of RU effectively reduced allergic responses in asthmatic mice, which is associated with regulating Th2 cell activation and differentiation. These results indicate that RU can attenuate the respiratory symptoms of asthma.

Water quality is characterized by various complex factors. Therefore, a systematic understanding of water quality trends is required to carry out a proper evaluation. In this study, we analyzed the spatio-temporal water quality characteristics of the Nakdong River using five-year data from 2012 to 2016. Data was collected on the pH, DO, BOD, COD, SS, TN, TP, TOC, WT, EC, NH3-N, NO3-N, PO4-P, Chl-a, rainfall, and total and fecal coliforms. A total of 38 water quality measurement stations, from Andong1 to Gupo, were considered. Statistical analyses including trend, cluster, and factor analyses were conducted to identify the dominant water quality components affecting the Nakdong River. The Nakdong River was spatially classified into three groups for up-stream (Andong1 to Sangju1), mid/up-stream (Donam to Dalseong), and mid/down-stream (Hwawonnaru to Gupo) data collection, and temporally into two groups for summer/fall (7~10), and the rest of the season (11~6) data. The water quality of the entire Nakdong River showed trends similar to the mid/down-stream section, which indicates the importance of water quality management in this section. Suspended solids, phosphorus, and coliform groups were established as important factors to be considered in the summer/fall season across the river, especially in the mid/down-stream section. Nitrogen and organic matter were identified as important factors to be considered in the rest of the season, especially in the mid/up-stream section. This study could help determine the water quality components that should be intensively monitored in the Nakdong River.

For the development of flow duration curves for the management of 41 Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) units of the Nakdong River basin, first, an equation for estimating daily flow rates as well as the level of correlation (correlation and determination coefficients) was extrapolated through regression analysis of discrete (Ministry of Environment) and continuous (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation) measurement data. The equation derived from the analysis was used to estimate daily flow rates in order to develop flow duration curves for each TMDL unit. By using the equation, the annual flow duration curves and flow curves, for the entire period and for each TMDL unit of the basin, were developed to be demonstrated in this research. Standard flow rates (abundant-, ordinary-, low- and drought flows) for major flow duration periods were calculated based on the annual flow duration curves. Then, the flow rates, based on percentile ranks of exceedance probabilities (5, 25, 50, 75, and 95%), were calculated according to the flow duration curves for the entire period and are suggested in this research. These results can be used for feasibility assessment of the set values of primary and secondary standard flow rates for each river system, which are derived from complicated models. In addition, they will also be useful for the process of implementing TMDL management, including evaluation of the target level of water purity based on load duration curves.